Dual Sports???

[braceyoself777]

Alright, I've been trolling the Thumper forums trying to find out which bike is great for off-loading but is street legal. Its between the Honda XR600's and older DR650's that are considerably in my price range....with that said I'm looking to spend under $2000. Unfortunately KLR's aren't cup of tea...I don't know, but I just don't like them   :face palm: With that said, Since my VFR is my sole commute/sport tourer bike, long distance isn't such a huge factor when it comes to dual sporting. I want a bike thats fast and is great off road. What do you guys think?

[sleazy rider]

I've had the XR600.  It scared me with all the power.  Wheelies on a whim and a frame that makes 75 seem like an adventure on road.  It did great in the dirt with a set of Kenda 270s, but it's not really single track friendly because of it's size.  I also hope you have a long inseam.  Seat height will give you nosebleeds and it's a long way down.    I've been kicking the idea around of an older KLR650, but haven't found one for the money I'm willing to spend for a toy.  DR650s hold their value, it seems, as I've never seen one for under $1000.

[Orson]

250cc trail bikes should be looked into  

Yamaha's XT250 for instance.

no one sez you hafta take pork offroad  

[garry]

Of the street-legal 650s: DR650, XR650L, and KLR650 (prev gen), the XR is the most dirt-worthy and the KLR the most street-worthy with the DR650 having the lowest seat height ( I think ).

I would say the DRZ400S is a better trail bike than any of the above with fully adjustable suspension and lighter weight. The Husky TE-610/630 is a better DRZ than the DRZ with its 6-speed transmission, but you won't find one for $2000. Might be tough to find a DRZ for $2K, but they are out there. $2500 shouldn't be problem for a DRZ.

Light is right in the dirt, so don't discount some older 250 and 350 bikes.

Best street-legal off-roads bikes are the KTM EXCs and HusaBergs, but they are WAY out of your price range.

[bomber]

all the bikes mentioned will, to varying degrees, allow you to ride some distance to the playground, enjoy your time off road, and ride home . . . . my suggestion would be to define a group of bikes, and watch for what pops up in your price range -- the more specific your desires/requirements, the more you'll wind up paying . . . .

[Yankee Dog]

..................................Light is right in the dirt, so don't discount some older 250 and 350 bikes.
.....................

This is key. What kind of riding you intend to do? Do you really need the power that comes with the 650s. More importantly do you really want the extra weight that comes with them. I can tell you that on the forest service trails around here the guys with 250 stay up just fine with the 650+ crowd.

[Gat]

This is key. What kind of riding you intend to do? Do you really need the power that comes with the 650s. More importantly do you really want the extra weight that comes with them. I can tell you that on the forest service trails around here the guys with 250 stay up just fine with the 650+ crowd.

This  

I have a XR400 that I dual sported and it's fine for gravel road cruising, 2 tracking through the woods and single track riding (two sets of rims is really nice).

[DogBoy]

Under $2,000 = DR350. You should be able to get good a later model DR350SE with electric start (you'll thank me) for under $2k and still have some money left over for anything it might need or a decent set of boots for yourself (you'll thank me again).

$3,000 will get you a DR650, DRZ400S, XR650L. All are street legal and stone reliable. None are lightweights but the DRZ is the lightest and the later models have better suspension than anything else mentioned in this thread. You might find a CA plated XR400 but those are very desirable and hold their value well.

Have fun.

[braceyoself777]

I've had the XR600.  It scared me with all the power.  Wheelies on a whim and a frame that makes 75 seem like an adventure on road.  It did great in the dirt with a set of Kenda 270s, but it's not really single track friendly because of it's size.  I also hope you have a long inseam.  Seat height will give you nosebleeds and it's a long way down.    I've been kicking the idea around of an older KLR650, but haven't found one for the money I'm willing to spend for a toy.  DR650s hold their value, it seems, as I've never seen one for under $1000.

Fortunately I'm 5'11 and I have been snooping around craigslist and visiting potential buys. I'm really leaning towards the xr600......great looking bike and some asked what kind of riding I'm doing.....mostly fire trail riding by my house. Literally, 3 miles in either direction, theres a OHV fire trail open. Regardless I've looked at the smaller CC bikes but I wouldn't know how well they would hold up on short spurts on the freeway. I've looked the Dr650's, very very solid bikes, only problem is, I looked for spare parts or aftermarket parts on the older DR's.....there really isn't much :/ XR's on the other hand,  have a site named after them....xrsonly....lol
Thanks for your guys input though.....I'm scheduled to look at an xr600 this weekend and make my decision then

[Yankee Dog]

........................I've looked at the smaller CC bikes but I wouldn't know how well they would hold up on short spurts on the freeway. ................................

becareful you are not sarcrificing hours of dirt capability for minutes of freeway capabilty. you will not find the big ones a bunch of fun on the freeway either. The vibes and the wind are killer in either case.

[Reddog*]

This  

I have a XR400 that I dual sported and it's fine for gravel road cruising, 2 tracking through the woods and single track riding (two sets of rims is really nice).

I like that middle one better.  

[Yankee Dog]

I like that middle one better.  

you wont when you have to pick it up on the side of a hill. or push it out of the mud

[Gat]

I like that middle one better.  

The middle one is nice!  Plus the guy who rides it really knows his shit!  

[Ack535]

Plus one for the XR series. Cheap to buy, easy to work on, and can be made street legal.

I have a 1991 XR250 and love it!

[JonS]

http://www.bikefinds.com/yamaha-wr450f-for-sale



These and Suzuki DRZ 400s are not hard to find in you price range.

[Deacon66]

Alright, I've been trolling the Thumper forums trying to find out which bike is great for off-loading but is street legal. Its between the Honda XR600's and older DR650's that are considerably in my price range....with that said I'm looking to spend under $2000. Unfortunately KLR's aren't cup of tea...I don't know, but I just don't like them   :face palm: With that said, Since my VFR is my sole commute/sport tourer bike, long distance isn't such a huge factor when it comes to dual sporting. I want a bike thats fast and is great off road. What do you guys think?

Realize this is an older topic, but since I found it interesting, I thought I would give it a bump with the following comment:  In my opinion, if you are going to spend significant time on the dirt and don't need a long distance tourer, go as light as possible.  The 250's are about 300 pounds and will get you down the trail with plenty of power (for most people.)  Heavy KLR's or other 650's can be quite a chore to man handle and if loaded, can be downright miserable in the nasty stuff (sand, mud, etc.)  Love my KLR, but will be getting a 250 soon for the single tracks and tougher off road trails.  Of course the DRZ 400 is also an excellent option as well and not much added weight.  

[GRN]

Had a RD650, great bike but pork laden off road. I sold it and bought a KLX250S, way more fun and capable off road, doesn't suck any worse than the DR did on road. IMO, if you are buying a dual sport for primarily off road interests, join the Les Ismore club, they have great benefits. If you want a dual sport that is significantly better than a 250 on road, you're talking T800/F8GS...